Trace-buckle.



3. L. DODD. TRACE BUOKLBJ -APPLICATIOK'PILBD MAY 29, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

UNITED srarns Parana enrich.

EDWARD L. DODD, OF COUDEBSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRACE-BUCKLE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. Donn, citizen of the United States, residing at Coudersport, in the county of Potter and State of ennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Buckles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved trace buckle involving a simple, cheap, durable and light construction, and which will admit of the. several straps being easily and quickly connected thereto and disconnected therefrom.

A further purpose of the invention is the I provision of a buckle embodying a box in which the saddle strap is adapted to be inserted and secured in the adjusted position by means of a wedge clamp, thereby admitting of the buckle being quickly adjusted with reference to the saddle strap, without necessitating the provision of the accustomed stud or tongue applied to the buckle and designed to pass through one of the series of openings in the saddle strap.

The invention further consists of the novel features and details of construction which hereinafter will be set forth, illustrated and claimed.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of the specification: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved buckle, showing the straps attached thereto; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a horizontal section near the central portion of the buckle, the straps being omitted; Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the wedge clamp.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In carrying out my invention; I provide a plate 1 with a box 2 upon one of its sides. At each of the four edges of the plate 1 are loops 3, 4, 5 and 6. The loop 3 inclines upward and outward and is in alinement with the box 2. The loops 4, 5 and 6 are formed by slots near the edge portions of the plate. The parts are of integral formation, although it is to be understood that the box 2 and the loop 3 may be formed separate and joined to the plate 1. The walls 7 of the box 2 converge upwardly and inwardly.

The trace 8 is adapted to be secured to the loop 4, the girth 9 to the loop 5, and the hame tug 10 to the loop 6. The saddle strap 11 is adapted to be passed through the loop Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 29, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

Serial No. 435,726.

3 and the box 4, successively, and is adapted to be secured in the box by a wedge clamp. The wedge clamp consists of two similar members 12 which are pivotally connected at 13. Tapered flanges 14 are provided upon the outer vertical edges of the clamp members 12, said flanges being provided with teeth. or serrations 15 on their inner faces, which make positive engagement with the strap 11, and prevent slipping thereof. In order that the side portions 14 of the clamp members 12 may be in the same plane, the portions adjacent the pivot point are halved. Each member 12 consists of a plate widened at its lower end and tapered toward its upper end, the widened end being reduced to admit of the lower widened ends of both members overlapping within planes touching opposite sides of the members 12. members 12 are comparatively thin and are adapted to lie against the inner side of the plate 1, thereby leaving a maximum space in the box 2 for the reception of the stra and the wedge clamp without having the ox 2 unnecessarily large and bulky.

In the operation of the invention, the buckle is located at the juncture of the several straps to be coupled thereby, the hame tug 10 being connected to the loop 6, the trace 8 to the loop 4, the girth 9 to the loop 5 and the saddle stra 11 being 'passed through the loop 3 and t e box 2 and secured therein by means of the wedge clamp 12 in the manner stated. The weight of the buckle and parts coupled thereto tend to pull the said buckle downward, thereby causing the wedge clamp to bind. all the more firmly within the said box and upon the strap 11 in the manner readily understood. To adjust the buckle upon the strap 11, it is only necessary to hold the end of the strap 11 below the buckle, and lift upon the latter, thereby loosening the wedge clamp and admitting of its adjustment upon the strap to the required position.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily understood that I have provided a buckle of the character set forth, which is thoroughly efiicient and consists of few parts which will permit of the ready adjustment of the saddle strap.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

The i 1. A trace buckle com rising a plate hav- I side With a box whose opposite walls converge, and a Wedge clamp comprising similar members each member ponsisting of a plate and a tapered flange at the outer edge of the plate, the lates having widened portions which overlap and are pivotally connected, the overlapped portions being halved.

2. A trace buckle com arising a plate having loops at its edges and provided upon one side With a box whose opposite walls con verge, and a wedge clamp comprising similar members each member consisting of a comparatively thin plate having a tapered flange at its outer edge, the plate being widened at one end and tapered toward its opposite end, the widened end of the plate being reduced to admit of the widened ends of plates over lapping to form a halved joint, said ends be ing pivotally connected, and the plates lying against the inner side of the main plate of the buckle, and the tapered flanges cooperating with the converged walls of the box.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence or two witnesses.

EDWARD L. DODD. Witnesses D. E. Donn, S. O. SINSABAUGH. 

